Written Answers Friday 5 May 2006

Scottish Executive

Architecture

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will take forward its commitment to publishing a renewed policy statement on architecture, which it announced earlier this year in Scotland’s Culture , its response to the Cultural Commission report on its review of culture in Scotland.

Patricia Ferguson: I am pleased to announce the launch today of a public consultation exercise on the policy on architecture for Scotland. The consultation is designed to stimulate public debate on the future direction of architecture policy; to seek views on the Executive’s progress to date in implementing its previous policy, and to inform the development of a renewed policy on architecture. The consultation paper is available online at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations

  The consultation will be formally launched by me in Perth this afternoon at the annual Convention of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

Benefits

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why Working for Families funding was removed at short notice from two projects in north-west Dumfries being undertaken by the Maxwelltown Umbrella Group, namely the Grow Your Own project and the Building Healthy Communities project.

Malcolm Chisholm: The decision was taken at a local level following a period of review of all Working for Families projects. The Working for Families Steering Group in Dumfries and Galloway, which includes internal council members and external representatives, made a collective decision that funding for both projects would not be continued and that resources could be better utilised elsewhere. The original funding for both projects was agreed up to the end of 2005-06 only with no agreement in place to continue funding past March 2006.

Concessionary Travel

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who is entitled to a "companion card" allowing a companion to travel free with them under the national concessionary fare scheme.

Tavish Scott: Under the Scotland-wide Free Bus Scheme for Older and Disabled People, people who are eligible for the Scheme and who require assistance to travel are entitled to a companion travelling free. The criteria which apply are as follows.

  People are entitled to a companion travelling free if they:

  (i) receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of disability living allowance;

  (ii) receive attendance allowance;

  (iii) live in a residential home or hospital and are eligible for (i) or (ii), or

  (iv) have been certified as blind and in consequence are registered as blind.

Concessionary Travel

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been entitled to local authority "companion cards" allowing a companion to travel free with them in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

Tavish Scott: Seven of the 16 local concessionary travel schemes included arrangements which enabled eligible people to travel with a companion either free or at a discounted rate. The schemes were the responsibility of local authorities and information is not held centrally on the number of people which were entitled to local authority companion cards.

Concessionary Travel

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23411 by Tavish Scott on 6 March 2006, whether it will now hold discussions with NHS boards regarding extending the nationwide concessionary fare scheme to community transport schemes utilised by hospitals.

Tavish Scott: The Scotland-wide Free Bus Scheme for Older and Disabled People fully meets our commitment to extend concessionary travel for people in the groups concerned. It is a major achievement under which over a million older and disabled people can travel free on buses throughout Scotland at any time of day. The first two years of operation will be critical in building up the evidence base for future analysis of the scheme. We will be happy to use this evidence to look at where issues emerge and review the scheme in light of our experience. Meantime, we have no current plans to extend the scheme and therefore no plans to hold discussions with NHS boards.

Concessionary Travel

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-12708 by Nicol Stephen on 20 December 2004, what funding has been allocated to each community transport scheme in the current year, broken down by source; which of these scheme can be utilised by pass holders of the national concessionary fare scheme, and when will the funding will run out for each.

Tavish Scott: Information is not held centrally on which community transport schemes can be utilised by pass holders of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

  For those services funded directly by the Executive through the Rural Community Transport Initiative, the following table sets out funding details and when the current agreement ends.

  Rural Community Transport Initiative Projects Funded in 2006-07

  

 Transport Scheme
 Project Type
 2006-07
 Current Funding Agreement Ends March


 Annandale Transport Initiative
 Community Minibus/Car Sharing Scheme
£49,120
 2009


 Applecross Community Mini-Bus
 Community Mini-Bus Transport Service
£2,565
 2008


 Arainn Shuaineirt
 Community Minibus Hire/Car Sharing Scheme
£31,874
 2008


 Ardersier, Petty, Croy and Culloden Moor Transport Association
 Community Minibus Project
£47,462
 2009


 Ayrshire Cancer Support
 Community Car Scheme
£19,288
 2007


 BABS Dial-A-Bus/Focus Foundation
 Community Dial-a-Bus Services
£104,813
 2009


 Badenoch and Strathspey Transport Company
 Community Car Scheme
£119,497
 2009


 Ballater (RD) Ltd
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£16,900
 2007


 Banffshire Partnership Ltd
 Community Dial-a-Bus and Social Car Scheme
£74,536
 2009


 British Red Cross (Argyll)
 Community Car Sharing Scheme
£66,045
 2007


 British Red Cross (West Central and South West Scotland)
 Community Transport Voluntary Car Scheme
£42,347
 2008


 Buchan Dial-A-Community Bus
 Community Dial-a-Bus and Car Scheme
£86,302
 2008


 Cairn Valley Community Transport
 Community Minibus Transport Service and car Scheme
£7,242
 2009


 Caithness Voluntary Group
 Community Dial-a-Ride and Community Car Scheme
£59,562
 2009


 Carrick Community Transport Group
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£49,950
 2007


 Clarebrand Scottish Women’s Rural Institute
 Local Operator Coach Hire
£475
 2007


 Coalfield Community Transport
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£87,869
 2008


 Creich Croick and Kincardine
 Local Operator Minibus Hire
£20,473
 2009


 Disability Lewis
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£21,395
 2007


 Dounby Centre Committee
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£20,438
 2007


 Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum
 Transport Co-ordination Project
£41,888
 2009


 Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum
 Driver Training Project
£14,647
 2007


 Dunvegan Community Minibus Assoc
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£2,849
 2007


 Eriskay Community Council 
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£6,580
 2007


 Gairloch Community Car Scheme
 Community Car Scheme
£21,958
 2009


 Glenkens Community and Arts Trust
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£3,495
 2007


 Graemsay, Hoy and Walls Community Council
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£1,476
 2009


 Gretna Day Centre
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£13,447
 2009


 Handicabs (Lothian)
 Community Dial-a-Ride and Dial-a-Bus Services
£77,756
 2009


 Inverness and Nairn Transport Forum
 Transport Co-ordination Project
£20,374
 2009


 Irvine Valley Joint Community Council Transport Group
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£21,062
 2007


 Islay Disabled Endeavours and Action
 Community Dial-a-Bus
£77,914
 2007


 Kinross Volunteer Group and Rural Outreach
 Community Car Scheme
£3,890
 2009


 Lochaber Community Care Forum
 Community Car Scheme
£24,830
 2009


 Lochaber Transport Forum
 Transport Co-ordination Project
£23,426
 2009


 Lochgoil Community Trust
 Community Minibus Project
£31,901
 2009


 Lochleven Community Minibus Association
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£6,023
 2007


 Lothian Community Transport Services
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£28,953
 2007


 Mallaig and District Community Transport Association
 Community Minibus Project
£63,860
 2009


 Mearns Area Project
 Community Minibus Project
£58,882
 2009


 Mid Deeside Ltd
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£96,253
 2009


 Nairn Community Transport
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£16,015
 2008


 North Lochs Community Association
 Community Minibus Group Hire and Dial-a-Ride
£5,036
 2008


 North West Community Bus Association
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£16,168
 2009


 Orkney Disability Forum
 Community Dial-a-Bus Services
£55,434
 2009


 Papay Development Trust
 Community Ferry Service
£3,120
 2007


 Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group
 Development Co-ordinator/Training and IT Initiatives
£23,000
 2007


 Point Community Transport Group
 Community Group Minibus Hire
£1,649
 2007


 Roxburgh Assoc. of Voluntary Service
 Community Minibus / Car Sharing Scheme
£15,216
 2008


 Scottish Borders Rural Partnership
 Transport Development project
£13,220
 2008


 Shawbost Community Council
 Local Operator Minibus Hire
£18,363
 2009


 Silver Circle for the Elderly
 Community Minibus Transport and Car Scheme
£12,760
 2009


 Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£11,657
 2008


 Sound of Mull Transport Group
 Community Ferry Service
£43,634
 2009


 South Machars Community Transport
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£18,283
 2009


 South West Ross Community Car Scheme
 Community Car Scheme
£15,348
 2009


 Stepping Stones for Families
 Access to Work and Training Taxi Hire Service
£47,025
 2007


 Strathearn Community Care Association (Strathcare)
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£3,392
 2009


 Strathnairn Community Transport Association
 Community Car Scheme
£11,940
 2007


 Tagsa Uibhist
 Community Dial-a-Ride Services and 
£118,806
 2009


 Tagsa Uibhist
 Community Car Scheme
£11,971
 2007


 Tweeddale Association of Voluntary Organisations
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£2,939
 2008


 Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay
 Community Minibus Transport Service
£46,500
 2009


 Voluntary Action Lewis
 Community Car Scheme
£3,052
 2007


 Voluntary Action Lewis
 Community Mini-Bus Transport Service
£14,931
 2008


 Western Isles Disability Sport
 Community Dial-a-Bus/Group Hire
£17,655
 2007


 Westray Development Trust
 Local Operator Minibus Hire
£2,827
 2008


 Wick and East Caithness
 Group Minibus Hire
£3,402
 2008


 Wigtownshire Transport Co-ordination Project
 Community Car Scheme
£26,726
 2009


 WRVS (Borders)
 Community Car Scheme
£28,301
 2009


 WRVS (Clydesdale)
 Community Car Scheme
£49,842
 2007


 WRVS (East Lothian)
 Community Car Scheme
£23,422
 2007


 WRVS (East Neuk of Fife)
 Community Car Scheme
 45,501
 2009


 WRVS (Ellon)
 Community Car Scheme
£59,254
 2007


 WRVS (Shetland)
 Community Car Scheme
£16,085
 2007


 WRVS (Stewartry)
 Community Car Scheme
£27,181
 2008


 WRVS (Stirling)
 Community Car Scheme
£28,989
 2007

Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much compensation has been paid to teachers as a result of assaults in the classroom in each year since 1999, shown in table form.

Peter Peacock: The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for local authorities as the employers of teaching staff.

Education

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the per capita ratio of educational and child psychologists was to children in each local authority area in each year since 2000.

Peter Peacock: The number of educational psychologists was not collected centrally between 2000 and 2002. The following table gives the data for 1999 and 2003 to 2005, together with the rate per 10,000 pupils in local authority schools.

  

 
 Educational Psychologists
 Number Per 10,000 Pupils


 1999
 2003
 2004
 2005
 1999
 2003
 2004
 2005


 Aberdeen City
 12
 14
 16
 13
 4
 6
 7
 6


 Aberdeenshire
 17
 17
 17
 19
 5
 5
 5
 5


 Angus
 7
 7
 8
 8
 4
 4
 5
 5


 Argyll and Bute
 6
 7
 7
 7
 4
 5
 5
 6


 Clackmannanshire
 5
 7
 6
 7
 7
 10
 8
 10


 Dumfries and Galloway
 7
 11
 8
 10
 3
 5
 4
 5


 Dundee City
 11
 13
 13
 13
 5
 7
 7
 7


 East Ayrshire
 7
 9
 9
 10
 4
 5
 5
 6


 East Dunbartonshire
 7
 7
 8
 7
 4
 4
 4
 4


 East Lothian
 6
 9
 7
 6
 5
 7
 5
 4


 East Renfrewshire
 7
 12
 11
 11
 4
 7
 7
 7


 Edinburgh, City of
 27
 35
 35
 38
 5
 7
 7
 8


 Eilean Siar
 3
 3
 3
 3
 7
 7
 7
 7


 Falkirk
 8
 10
 12
 11
 4
 5
 6
 5


 Fife
 31
 25
 25
 23
 6
 5
 5
 5


 Glasgow City
 58
 50
 54
 54
 7
 7
 8
 8


 Highland
 13
 16
 16
 15
 4
 5
 5
 5


 Inverclyde
 6
 7
 8
 10
 4
 6
 7
 8


 Midlothian
 6
 8
 8
 7
 5
 6
 6
 6


 Moray
 7
 8
 8
 9
 5
 6
 6
 7


 North Ayrshire
 11
 12
 11
 12
 5
 6
 5
 6


 North Lanarkshire
 23
 24
 25
 29
 4
 5
 5
 6


 Orkney Islands
 2
 2
 1
 2
 6
 6
 3
 7


 Perth and Kinross
 9
 9
 9
 10
 5
 5
 5
 5


 Renfrewshire
 11
 13
 13
 14
 4
 5
 5
 6


 Scottish Borders
 6
 7
 7
 8
 4
 4
 4
 5


 Shetland Islands
 2
 1
 1
 1
 5
 3
 3
 3


 South Ayrshire
 8
 7
 9
 5
 5
 4
 6
 3


 South Lanarkshire
 18
 20
 20
 23
 4
 4
 4
 5


 Stirling
 6
 7
 8
 8
 5
 5
 6
 6


 West Dunbartonshire
 7
 9
 9
 10
 4
 6
 6
 7


 West Lothian
 11
 14
 12
 15
 4
 5
 5
 6


 Scotland
 364
 398
 403
 417
 4.8
 5.4
 5.6
 5.9



  Source: 1999 data from the SC6 form. 2003-2005 data from the Staff Census.

Elections

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to the use of e-counting for the 2007 local government elections, in particular to the number and locations of e-counting centres should this method be adopted.

George Lyon: In August 2005, the Scottish Executive, in partnership with the Scotland Office, issued an invitation to tender for the provision of e-counting facilities for the 2007 combined elections. Bidders were asked to provide costings for the provision of between six and 32 local authority count centres. After a preferred supplier was selected, a series of trials were held in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh during February and March 2006. Each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities was invited to attend the trials.

  Following the successful completion of these trials, the project proceeded to the acceptance phase. This took place during the week beginning 24 April and the results are currently being evaluated.

  No decisions have yet been taken on the number and location of counting centres should e-counting be adopted for the elections in 2007. The Executive has recently issued a discussion letter on this topic to local authorities. The final decision on where the Returning Officer holds his or her count rests with them.

Elections

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the UK Government in respect of the use of e-counting for the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.

George Lyon: The Scottish Executive and the Scotland Office are working closely together to assess the suitability of e-counting for the 2007 combined elections.

  Any decisions regarding the counting of votes for the Scottish Parliament elections will be taken by the Secretary of State for Scotland, whilst decisions about the local government election count are taken by Scottish ministers.

Employment

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many call centres there were in each year since 2001.

Nicol Stephen: There are no official statistical sources which accurately record the number of call centres operating in Scotland over the period requested.

Energy

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its draft energy efficiency strategy.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive will publish its draft energy efficiency strategy later this year.

Energy

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a microgeneration strategy analogous to that recently published by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive recognises the importance of micro-generation, and the role that this can play in meeting climate change targets. Linked to the Scottish Energy Efficiency Strategy, a draft of which will be published later this year, the Executive will set out a range of measures to help cut energy related emissions arising from the heating and lighting of buildings - including micro-generation, local and renewable heat and energy efficiency.

Energy

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for householders wishing to install home micro-renewables.

Nicol Stephen: Support is available from the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI). The support includes advice, guidance, and the provision of capital grants for individuals interested in developing renewable energy projects.

Energy

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking encourage the widespread adoption of micro-renewables, particularly in relation to addressing administrative and financial issues.

Nicol Stephen: We are committed to funding the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI), which promotes the development of new community and household micro-renewable energy projects in Scotland.

  We are also taking forward a number of initiatives through the planning system, including the publication of an annex to Planning Advice Note 45 on Planning for Micro-renewables and reviewing the existing national planning policies and permitted development rights.

Fisheries

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what practical steps it will take to maximise the opportunities for employees in the aquaculture industry to have rewarding careers.

Rhona Brankin: The Executive identifies specific "Priorities for Action" through the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture to help maximise opportunities for employees in the aquaculture industry.

  These include support for Scottish Vocational Qualification levels II/III programme, the Scottish Progression Award and Modern Apprenticeship in aquaculture established by LANTRA working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Knowledge Transfer Partnership initiative which is being extended to aquaculture and will provide opportunities for industry to interact with academic institutions to provide graduate placements within companies.

Fisheries

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what methods it applies, and will apply in future, to measure the progress of the aquaculture industry.

Rhona Brankin: The Executive monitors the development of the aquaculture industry through the Ministerial Working Group for Aquaculture (MWGA) which is responsible for the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture.

  In order to assist the process, High-Level Performance Indicators are being developed to measure progress towards the aspirations of the Framework and the delivery of a sustainable industry.

Higher Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided for postgraduate courses in total and how much of this has been for courses in occupational therapy in each year since 2000.

Nicol Stephen: Information on funding for particular courses is not held centrally.

  The Scottish Funding Council allocates funding to broad subject categories and not to particular subjects.

Higher Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scots have applied to English universities for courses which are not funded in Scotland in each year since 2000.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive does not hold information on the number of students who apply for a course at an English university when the same, or a similar course, is not available at a Scottish institution. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is responsible for handling applications on behalf of the institutions.

  Scottish Universities are autonomous institutions, responsible for developing their own course provision. All accredited courses are funded by the Scottish Funding Council according to its funding allocation formula.

Housing

Murray Tosh (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23170 by Malcolm Chisholm on 20 March 2006, whether it is also negotiating to transfer surplus public sector housing to providers of affordable housing and, in particular, whether it is pursuing an agreement with the Ministry of Defence to transfer empty houses at Smuggler’s Way, Arden Hill, Alexander Place, Jupiter Place and Beech Grove in Rhu, Argyll and Bute, to a registered social landlord or other provider of affordable housing.

Malcolm Chisholm: There are past instances where we have supported the transfer of surplus public sector housing to Registered Social Landlords, and further opportunities to do so will be considered when they arise.

  In respect of the specific sites mentioned in the question, exploratory discussions were held with the Ministry of Defence in 2004, but did not reach a conclusion as the properties in question fell to be considered as part of a wider accommodation review being undertaken by that Department. My officials in Communities Scotland intend to approach the Ministry of Defence to re-open discussions.

Income

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average wage of employees is (a) across Scotland and (b) in each local authority area.

Nicol Stephen: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics. The latest earnings ASHE estimates available are for April 2005.

  Table 1 and Table 2 show the estimated median gross weekly pay for full-time, part-time and all employee jobs. Table 1 provides earnings estimates by area of work, whereas table 2 provides earnings estimates by area of residence.

  Table 1: Median1 Gross Weekly pay (£) - for All Employee Jobs2: Area of Work: April 2005

  

 Work Area
 Full-Time
 Part-Time
 All


 Scotland
 409.6 (P)
 132.9 (P)
 330.9 (P)


 Aberdeen City
 468.5 (P)
 139.5 (RP)
 380.4 (P)


 Aberdeenshire
 384.1 (RP)
 112.6 (RP)
 305.0 (RP)


 Angus
 372.9 (RP)
 118.3 (A)
 293.0 (RP)


 Argyll and Bute
 402.5 (RP)
 135.9 (A)
 310.0 (RP)


 Scottish Borders
 331.3 (RP)
 159.8 (A)
 287.8 (RP)


 Clackmannanshire
 365.8 (A)
 x
 291.6 (RP)


 Dumfries and Galloway
 364.8 (RP)
 109.1 (A)
 295.8 (RP)


 Dundee City
 409.0 (P)
 168.6 (A)
 336.4 (RP)


 East Ayrshire
 441.4 (RP)
 95.4 (A)
 325.6 (RP)


 East Dunbartonshire
 417.8 (RP)
 146.4 (A)
 297.5 (A)


 East Lothian
 403.7 (RP)
 124.9 (A)
 336.4 (RP)


 East Renfrewshire
 383.5 (A)
 138.2 (A)
 289.4 (A)


 City of Edinburgh
 441.4 (P)
 139.9 (RP)
 374.7 (P)


 Falkirk
 416.0 (RP)
 132.3 (A)
 313.5 (RP)


 Fife
 380.5 (RP)
 116.4 (RP)
 295.8 (P)


 Glasgow City
 410.1 (P)
 133.6 (P)
 339.5 (P)


 Highland
 380.6 (P)
 131.5 (RP)
 298.9 (RP)


 Inverclyde
 385.7 (RP)
 125.8 (A)
 316.0 (RP)


 Midlothian
 413.0 (RP)
 147.2 (A)
 348.7 (RP)


 Moray
 366.9 (RP)
 138.8 (RP)
 295.2 (RP)


 North Ayrshire
 399.9 (RP)
 131.8 (A)
 347.7 (RP)


 North Lanarkshire
 391.4 (P)
 131.8 (RP)
 325.8 (P)


 Orkney Islands
 x
 x
 309.1 (A)


 Perth and Kinross
 375.3 (RP)
 130.3 (A)
 300.6 (RP)


 Renfrewshire
 439.1 (RP)
 130.7 (A)
 344.4 (RP)


 Shetland Islands
 445.3 (A)
 x
 348.7 (A)


 South Ayrshire
 420.6 (RP)
 122.6 (A)
 324.4 (RP)


 South Lanarkshire
 427.5 (P)
 134.0 (RP)
 342.4 (P)


 Stirling
 384.0 (RP)
 130.1 (A)
 322.4 (RP)


 West Dunbartonshire
 360.6 (RP)
 145.9 (A)
 289.0 (RP)


 West Lothian
 389.4 (RP)
 139.2 (A)
 331.0 (P)


 Western Isles
 380.1 (A)
 x
 296.0 (A)



  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. The median is the value below which 50 per cent of employee jobs fall. It is preferred over an arithmetic average for earnings data as it is influenced less by large or extreme values.

  2. Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  3. Pay estimates are rounded to the nearest ten pence.

  4. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to some sampling error. The quality of each estimate can be inferred from this sampling error. The quality is indicated by the letter following the estimate: (P) is a precise estimate, (RP) is relatively precise, (A) is acceptable and x indicates that the estimate has been suppressed due to being unreliable.

  Table 2: Median1 Gross Weekly Pay (£) - for All Employee Jobs2: Area of Residence: April 2005

  

 Home Area
 Full-Time
 Part-Time
 All


 Scotland
 411.7 (P)
 133.0 (P)
 334.2 (P)


 Aberdeen City
 444.6 (P)
 117.9 (A)
 340.1 (RP)


 Aberdeenshire
 446.2 (P)
 125.0 (RP)
 350.0 (P)


 Angus
 389.5 (RP)
 134.6 (A)
 324.9 (RP)


 Argyll and Bute
 393.3 (RP)
 131.3 (A)
 301.2 (RP)


 Scottish Borders
 384.8 (RP)
 159.6 (A)
 304.7 (RP)


 Clackmannanshire
 380.6 (RP)
 124.7 (A)
 291.9 (RP)


 Dumfries and Galloway
 380.0 (RP)
 116.8 (A)
 306.6 (RP)


 Dundee City
 375.3 (RP)
 142.0 (A)
 305.8 (RP)


 East Ayrshire
 416.8 (RP)
 118.5 (A)
 330.8 (RP)


 East Dunbartonshire
 491.9 (RP)
 141.1 (A)
 386.8 (RP)


 East Lothian
 439.6 (RP)
 153.1 (A)
 349.9 (RP)


 East Renfrewshire
 461.8 (RP)
 131.7 (A)
 399.7 (RP)


 City of Edinburgh 
 461.6 (P)
 139.2 (RP)
 383.1 (P)


 Falkirk
 394.9 (RP)
 133.6 (A)
 325.2 (RP)


 Fife
 395.1 (RP)
 118.8 (RP)
 314.1 (P)


 Glasgow City
 396.1 (P)
 134.3 (RP)
 325.3 (P)


 Highland
 386.0 (P)
 130.0 (RP)
 306.5 (RP)


 Inverclyde
 401.8 (RP)
 x
 350.3 (RP)


 Midlothian
 366.2 (RP)
 144.8 (A)
 325.6 (RP)


 Moray
 362.4 (RP)
 137.1 (A)
 291.9 (RP)


 North Ayrshire
 411.5 (RP)
 125.9 (A)
 353.5 (RP)


 North Lanarkshire
 375.2 (P)
 129.6 (RP)
 322.0 (P)


 Orkney Islands
 424.4 (A)
 x
 320.2 (A)


 Perth and Kinross
 387.6 (RP)
 135.4 (A)
 318.5 (RP)


 Renfrewshire
 435.1 (RP)
 136.5 (RP)
 339.5 (RP)


 Shetland Islands
 445.3 (A)
 x
 353.2 (A)


 South Ayrshire
 485.5 (RP)
 120.6 (A)
 402.1 (RP)


 South Lanarkshire
 419.5 (P)
 137.8 (RP)
 344.5 (P)


 Stirling
 455.5 (RP)
 146.6 (A)
 323.2 (A)


 West Dunbartonshire
 363.5 (RP)
 134.8 (RP)
 298.0 (RP)


 West Lothian
 383.9 (RP)
 138.1 (A)
 328.6 (P)


 Western Isles
 380.5 (A)
 x
 300.0 (A)



  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. The median is the value below which 50 per cent of employee jobs fall. It is preferred over an arithmetic average for earnings data as it is influenced less by large or extreme values.

  2. Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  3. Pay estimates are rounded to the nearest ten pence.

  4. The quality of each estimate is indicated by the letter following the estimate (P) is a precise estimate, (RP) is relatively precise, (A) is acceptable and x indicates that the estimate has been suppressed due to being unreliable.

Justice

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many custodial sentences were imposed by Edinburgh Sheriff Court in each year from 1998 to 2005.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following table.

  Number of Custodial Sentences Imposed by Edinburgh Sheriff Court, 1998-99 to 2004-05

  

 Year
 Number


 1998-99 
 1,430


 1999-2000 
 1,422


 2000-01 
 1,529


 2001-02 
 1,561


 2002-03 
 1,674


 2003-04 
 1,638


 2004-05 
 1,421

Justice

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving the (a) use, (b) presentation or (c) possession of imitation firearms there were in the city of Edinburgh in each year since 2001.

The Executive has provided a corrected answer which is published in the Written Answer Report on 23 May 2006: see http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-06/wa0523.htm.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally and is a matter for the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police. I understand that the force has invited the member to a meeting to discuss this and other issues.

Justice

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has powers to direct police forces to desist from charging individuals for the possession, use or sale of cannabis as part of a pilot scheme, similar to that carried out in London last year.

Colin Boyd QC: The Lord Advocate can direct the police in the conduct of criminal investigations and the reporting of alleged offending. The decision as to whether criminal proceedings are appropriate in any case is a matter for the Lord Advocate and Procurators Fiscal acting on his behalf.

Mental Health

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with a known drug-misuse problem also had a diagnosed mental health problem, expressed both in real terms and as a percentage of the total population, in each year since 2000.

Hugh Henry: The information available is shown in the following tables 1 to 3.

  Table 1 shows the number of new clients attending treatment services each year from 2001-02 to 2004-05, who reported that at least one of the significant issues that led them to present to the service, was their mental health.

  

 Financial Year3
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 New individual patients1,2
 11,673
 11,718
 13,086
 14,332


 Information available (=100%)4
 6,023
 6,039
 7,220
 7,584


 Mental health5 quoted as one presenting issue
 3,142
 3,025
 3,756
 3,808


 % of all presenting issues
 52
 50
 52
 50



  Source: Scottish Drug Misuse Database (SDMD) SMR24.

  Notes:

  1. All figures in this table exclude penal establishment inmates and information received from needle exchanges.

  2. New individual: any person who is attending (a) for the first time ever or (b) if has been at least six months since the last attendance at the service.

  3. There is no SDMD data on presenting information before 2001.

  4. Information available: the number of people who provided a valid response to the "presenting issue" question on the SMR24 form.

  5. All those who said that their mental health was at least one of the significant issues that led them to present to the service.

  Table 2 shows the number of discharges from psychiatric hospitals1,2 (in 2000-01 and 2001-02) that had a drugs misuse diagnosis3,4 and a mental/behavioural disorder5 (excluding alcohol-related diagnoses). Drug-misuse diagnoses with concurrent alcohol-related mental/behavioural diagnoses are shown separately, in the table.

  

 Financial Year (of Discharge)6
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Drugs misuse and any other mental/behavioural disorder, excluding alcohol-related diagonoses7
 725
 748


 % of total population
 0.014
 0.015


 Drugs misuse and severe mental health problems due to alcohol misuse8
 11
 14


 % of total population
 0.000
 0.000



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR04).

  Notes:

  1. Includes transfers from other psychiatric in-patient care.

  2. Excludes patients resident outwith Scotland; includes patients with "no fixed abode" or whose residence is unknown.

  3. Diagnostic conditions are defined by using the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10). Drug related conditions include codes: F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F18, F19.

  4. Excludes misuse of tobacco (F17) as a supplementary diagnosis.

  5. Those discharges where both a drugs misuse AND a mental/behavioural disorder diagnosis were made.

  6. 2001-02 is the most recent year for which complete SMR04 data is available.

  7. ICD10 codes F00-F99, excluding drug-related codes (see above) and alcohol-related codes, F10 (see below).

  8. Alcohol-related diagnoses (ICD10): F10.3 - F10.9: serious mental and behavioural disorders resulting from excessive alcohol misuse.

  Table 3 shows the number of acute and general hospital discharges1,2 (from 2000-01 to 2004-05) that had a drugs misuse diagnosis3,4 and a mental/behavioural disorder5 (excluding alcohol-related diagnoses). Drug-misuse diagnoses with concurrent alcohol-related mental/behavioural diagnoses are also shown in the table.

  

 Financial Year (of Discharge)
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 Drugs misuse and any other mental/behavioural disorder, excluding alcohol-related diagnoses7
 172
 181
 309
 328
 404


 % of total population
 0.003
 0.004
 0.006
 0.006
 0.008


 Drugs misuse and severe mental health problems due to alcohol misuse8
 31
 25
 30
 49
 75


 % of total population
 0.001
 0.000
 0.001
 0.001
 0.001



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01).

  Notes:

  1. Includes transfers from other hospitals.

  2. Excludes patients resident outwith Scotland; includes patients with "no fixed abode" or whose residence is unknown.

  3. Diagnostic conditions are defined by using the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10). Drug-related conditions include codes: F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F18, F19.

  4. Excludes misuse of tobacco (F17) as a supplementary diagnosis.

  5. Those discharges where both a drugs misuse AND a mental/behavioural diagnosis were made.

  6. Most recent published data.

  7. ICD10 codes F00-F99, excluding drug-related codes (see above) and alcohol-related codes, F10 (see below).

  8. Alcohol related diagnoses (ICD10): F10.3 - F10.9: serious mental and behavioural disorders resulting from excessive alcohol misuse.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people currently serve on more than one non-departmental public body (NDPB) and what NDPBs these are; what remuneration each of these persons receive from each NDPB; whether any of these persons are politically affiliated, and how long each person has served on each NDPB.

Mr Tom McCabe: A total of 32 people currently hold more than one appointment on the boards of NDPBs sponsored by the Scottish Executive and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. The other information requested is set out in the following table:

  

 Name
 NDPB
Remuneration
 Politically Active
 Current Term and Total Period of Appointment


 Alexander Matheson OBE JP
 Western Isles Justice of the Peace Advisory Committee (JPAC)
 Nil
 No
First term;March 2001 to November 2016


 Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd
£21,082
Second term;March 2001 to February 2007


 Andrew Thin
 Crofters Commission
£6,965
 No
Second term;October 2002 to September 2007


 Cairngorms National Park Authority
£187.08 per day
First term;March 2003 to March 2007


 Ann Markham OBE
 NHS National Services Scotland
£7,490
 No
Second term;September 2002 to August 2008


 NHS Education for Scotland
£22,945
Second Term;January 2002 to December 2009


 Arthur Cormack
 Scottish Arts Council
 Nil
 Highlands and Islands Alliance
First term;April 2004 to March 2007


 Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba
£6,000
Second term;January 2003 to February 2008


 Cameron Parker OBE
 Inverclyde JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;May 1998 to April 2007


 East Renfrewshire JPAC
 Nil
First term;May 1998 to April 2007


 Renfrewshire JPAC
 Nil
First term;May 1998 to April 2007


 Dr David T Crisp
 Fisheries (Electricity) Committee
£185 per meeting
 No
First term;March 2003 to March 2006


 Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest
£153 per day
First term;December 2004 to November 2007


 Brigadier Donald Hardie
 East Dunbartonshire JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;April 1996 to January 2011


 West Dunbartonshire JPAC
 Nil
First term;April 1996 to January 2011


 Gilbert Cox MBE
 North Lanarkshire JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;November 2000 to August 2010


 South Lanarkshire JPAC
 Nil
First term;November 2000 to August 2010


 Grenville Johnston OBE
 Moray JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;August 2005 to January 2020


 Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd
£6732
Second term;March 2001 to February 2007


 Heather Sheerin OBE
 Highland NHS Board
£7490
 No
First term;April 2004 to March 2008


 Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards
 Nil
Second term;December 2002 to October 2008


 Dr Helen Zealley OBE
 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
£6,027
 No
First term;January 2006 to December 2009


 NHS Health Scotland
£5,345
First term;April 2003 to March 2007


 Iain McMillan CBE
 Scottish Qualifications Authority
£4,306
 No
Second term;January 1997 to December 2006


 Scottish Ambulance Service
£7,490
Second term;April 2000 to March 2008


 Ian Doig
 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
£6,027
 No
First term;January 2006 to December 2009


 Scottish Social Services Council
£7,671
First term;November 2005 to October 2008


 Ian Ritchie CBE
 National Museums of Scotland
 Nil
 No
First term;October 2002 to September 2006


 Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council
£13,790
First term;October 2005 to October 2007


 John Mitchell
 Scottish Qualifications Authority
£4,306
 Labour
First term;February 2005 to February 2009


 Learning and Teaching Scotland
 Nil
Second term;July 2000 to June 2007


 John Mulgrew OBE
 Learning and Teaching Scotland
£10,000
 No
First term;April 2006 to March 2010


 Scottish Arts Council
 Nil
Second term;November 2002 to October 2008


 Keith Geddes CBE
 Accounts Commission for Scotland
£4,500
 Labour
Second term;October 2002 to September 2008


 Scottish Natural Heritage
£19,202
Second term;April 2001 to March 2007


 Lady Isabel Glasgow
 Scottish Natural Heritage
 19,202
 No
Second term;April 2001 to March 2007


 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
£186.62 per day
First term;July 2002 to July 2006


 Lesley Bloomer
 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
£6,027
 Labour
First term;January 2004 to December 2007


 Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
£7,670
First term;September 2003 to August 2006


 Dr Lindsay Burley
 NHS Education for Scotland
£7,490
 No
Second term;April 2002 to March 2010


 National Waiting Times Centre Board
£23,520
First term;April 2003 to April 2007


 Marjorie McLachlan
 Falkirk JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;September 2005 to February 2017


 Stirling JPAC
 Nil
First term;September 2005 to February 2017


 Mary Hartnoll
 Scottish Social Services Council
 Nil
 No
Second term;August 2001 to July 2007


 Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
£23,010
Second term;August 2001 to July 2007


 Morag Alexander OBE
 Scottish Social Services Council
£23,012
 No
Second term;August 2001 to July 2007


 Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
 Nil
Second term;August 2001 to July 2007


 Neena Mahal
 National Museums of Scotland
 Nil
 No
Second term;July 2000 to March 2008


 Lanarkshire NHS Board
£7,490
First term;April 2004 to March 2008


 Pamela Courcha 
 Highland NHS Board
£7,490
 SNP
First term;April 2004 to March 2008


 Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
£7,670
Second term;September 2001 to August 2007


 Pat Kelly
 Scottish Water
£19,023
 Labour
Second term;September 2003 to March 2009


 NHS 24
£7,490
Second term;December 2001 to November 2006


 Richardson Henderson
 South Ayrshire JPAC
 Nil
 No
First term;April 1996 to June 2006


 North Ayrshire JPAC
 Nil
First term;April 1996 to July 2006


 Sir John Ward
 National Museums of Scotland
 Nil
 No
First term;January 2005 to December 2008


 Scottish Enterprise
£38,055
First term;February 2004 to February 2007


 Stuart Smith
 Lothian NHS Board
£7,490
 No
Second term;February 2003 to January 2008


 NHS 24
£7,490
 First term; March 2006 to February 2010


 Prof Susan Walker OBE
 Deer Commission for Scotland
£4,299
 No
Second term;January 2002 to December 2007


 Cairngorms National Park Authority
£187.08 per day
First term;March 2003 to March 2007


 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
£6,027
Second term;January 2002 to December 2009


 Prof Valerie Maehle
 NHS Education for Scotland
£7,490
 No
Second term;April 2002 to March 2009


 Grampian NHS Board
£7,490
Second term;April 2004 to March 2009


 William Petrie
 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
£186.62 per day
 Independent
Second term;July 2002 to July 2007


 Highland NHS Board
£7,490
First term;April 2006 to April 2007



  Note: In accordance with the requirements of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland, the Executive only collects and publishes material about an appointee’s political activity which occurred during the previous five years and which is already in the public domain. Personal or private information, such as membership of political parties or voting preferences, is not held.

Pensions

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people working in local government were able to take advantage of the Rule of 85 in order to retire at 55 in each of the last five years.

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people working in local government could have taken early retirement at 55 and qualified for full pension rights if the Rule of 85 had been calculated on a "Rule of 80" basis in each of the last five years.

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people working in local government could have taken early retirement at 55 and qualified for full pension rights if the Rule of 85 had been calculated on a "Rule of 75" basis in each of the last five years.

Mr Tom McCabe: This information is not held centrally. The Local Government Pension Scheme is administered by fund administering authorities, who hold the data on scheme membership for each of their respective fund areas.

Police

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Lothian and Borders police officers in the city of Edinburgh area have had less than (a) one year’s and (b) two years’ service in each year since 2001, broken down by division.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have (a) retired, (b) taken early retirement, and (c) resigned from Lothian and Borders Police in each year since 2001, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) age profile and (iii) length of service.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Lothian and Borders police officers have been the subject of a complaint in each year since 2003.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers have left Lothian and Borders Police as a result of work-related ill health in each year since 2003.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Lothian and Borders police officers will be eligible to retire in each year to 2016.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Lothian and Borders police officers have been (a) recruited, (b) on secondment and (c) on long-term sick leave in each year since 2001.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally and is a matter for the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police. I understand that the force has invited the member to a meeting to discuss this and other issues.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees of the Scottish Prison Service are currently absent from work having been medically diagnosed as suffering from (a) stress, (b) work-related stress or (c) a stress-related condition.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  On 14 April 2006 there were 22 employees absent from work recorded as due to stress.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many employees of the Scottish Prison Service are currently absent from work on a long-term basis, broken down by grade and region.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS determines that an absence of more than 21 days is long-term.

  Employees absent on 11 April 2006 for a period of more than 21 days:

  

 Establishment
 Grade
 Grand Total


 B
 C
 D
 E
 F


 Aberdeen
 -
 -
 2
 -
 -
 2


 Barlinnie
 -
 6
 13
 1
 -
 20


 Cornton Vale
 1
 1
 3
 1
 -
 6


 Dumfries
 -
 -
 3
 -
 -
 3


 Edinburgh
 -
 3
 2
 -
 -
 5


 Glenochil
 -
 2
 9
 1
 -
 12


 Greenock
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 1


 Headquarters
 2
 2
 -
 1
 -
 5


 Inverness
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -
 1


 Low Moss
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1
 1


 Open Estate
 -
 1
 3
 2
 -
 6


 Perth
 3
 2
 4
 3
 -
 12


 Peterhead
 1
 -
 3
 -
 -
 4


 Polmont
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 1


 Shotts
 1
 2
 3
 2
 1
 9

Prison Service

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many inmates of prisons have been diagnosed with depression in each year since 1999.

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have been prescribed with anti-depressants in each year since 1999.

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have been given treatment for depression, other than being prescribed with anti-depressants, in each year since 1999.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information requested is not available.

Recycling

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects to meet the 2010 and 2020 household waste recycling targets set out in National Waste Plan 2003.

Ross Finnie: The National Waste Plan outlines our aim to achieve 25% recycling and composting of municipal waste by 2006 and 55% by 2020 (35% recycling and 20% composting). A further target of 30% recycling and composting by 2008 was introduced in spending review 2004.

  As the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Landfill Allowance Scheme Quarterly Monitoring Returns show, we are making good progress towards meeting the 2006 and 2008 recycling and composting targets. The Scottish Environment and Rural Development Department data can be found on their website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/nws/data/returns.htm. We also remain committed to meeting our 2020 recycling/composting target and to meeting the targets from the EU Landfill Directive on diverting biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in 2010, 2013 and 2020.

Scottish Enterprise

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise’s £30 million overspend is the gross amount or net of the impact of other remedial steps that have been taken in 2005-06.

Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise estimated in February that, following prioritisation, it would have an overspend of £30 million. The Executive engaged independent advisers to assess the accuracy of this figure and their report is available on the Executive’s website. The total resource overspend is now estimated to be £34 million, net of the impact of all steps taken to reduce the overspend.

Scottish Enterprise

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise suggested that the twelve local enterprise companies (LECs) should be abolished and, if so, on what basis the Executive decided that the LECs should be retained.

Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise did not suggest the abolition of the 12 local enterprise companies.

Scottish Enterprise

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of Scottish Enterprise’s reported overspend of £30 million in 2005-06, what economic development projects in the Scottish Borders the Executive would wish to see continued.

Nicol Stephen: Discussions continue with Scottish Enterprise on its budget and operating plan. However, it will continue to be for Scottish Enterprise to make detailed budget allocations at local level. In allocating its budget, Scottish Enterprise must take into account the strategic guidance provided by the Executive.

Scottish Executive Records

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23934 by Nicol Stephen on 31 March 2006, whether file SEP 10/556 was reviewed by Executive officials prior to its opening for public view on 8 September 2005 or subsequent to its opening.

The Executive has provided a corrected answer which is published in the Written Answer Report on 11 June 2006: see http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-06/wa0711.htm.

Nicol Stephen: Prior to its opening for public view the file was reviewed by a records appraisal officer in the National Archives of Scotland to check for data protection issues and clear it for public access. Subsequent to its opening the papers have been read by Executive officials.

Scottish Executive Records

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23915 by Nicol Stephen on 31 March 2006, on what basis it considers that file SEP 10/556 is of historical interest.

Nicol Stephen: The file is of historical interest on the basis that it is over 30 years old.

Scottish Executive Records

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23902 by Nicol Stephen on 31 March 2006, whether its statement that it was "not aware specifically" of the contents of file SEP 10/556 prior to its being opened to public view on 8 September 2005 indicates that it was aware of the file’s contents generally prior to this date.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive was aware that discussions on the role of North Sea oil revenue had taken place in the past, but was not aware of the specific documents or exchanges in SEP 10/556.

State Hospital Carstairs

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were allowed out on (a) escorted and (b) unescorted leave from the State Hospital, Carstairs, in each month since 1999.

Lewis Macdonald: This is a matter for the State Hospital. The information requested is not held centrally.

State Hospital Carstairs

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for allowing (a) escorted and (b) unescorted leave for patients at the State Hospital, Carstairs; who is involved in the development of such criteria; how such individuals are appointed, and how often their position is reviewed.

Lewis Macdonald: Scottish ministers do not have a statutory role to consent to suspension of detention of non-restricted patients. The underpinning principles in relation to escorted and unescorted leave for restricted patients are contained in Chapter 5 (Suspension of Detention) of the Memorandum of Procedure which provides guidance to professionals managing restricted patients. The Memorandum of Procedure is currently being revised to take account of the recommendations contained in the Mental Welfare Commission Inquiry Report into the care and treatment of Mr L and Mr M and provisions contained in the Management of Offenders Etc (Scotland) Act 2005 . Revised Care Programme Approach guidance is being developed to establish joint arrangements for the effective risk management of restricted patients requiring that all those engaged in the patient’s care have an understanding of the risks presented by the patient and of the factors that might suggest a relapse in the patient’s condition and be prepared to act where those factors appear to be manifest. A working version of the Memorandum of Procedure is available on:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/health/mentalhealthdivision.

  The guidance in the Memorandum of Procedure is developed by consultation with professionals in the field, and with advice from the Psychiatric Adviser in the Health Department, and is endorsed by Scottish ministers.

State Hospital Carstairs

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how leave from the State Hospital, Carstairs, is monitored and on how many occasions since 1999 guidance in respect of the monitoring of leave has not been followed and the policy on this matter breached

Lewis Macdonald: Scottish ministers do not have a statutory role to consent to suspension of detention of non-restricted patients. The monitoring of suspension of detention in relation to restricted patients is carried out through feedback from escorting staff. We are not aware of any breaches in respect of the guidance on the monitoring of leave having taken place.

Telecommunications

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24527 by Johann Lamont on 20 April 2006, whether there are any grounds on which it would consider a moratorium on the construction of TETRA masts.

Johann Lamont: The view of the Scottish Executive is that there are currently no grounds on which it would consider a moratorium on the construction of TETRA masts.

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences have been issued for the killing of red-breasted mergansers and goosanders in each of the last three years and to whom were the licences issued.

Rhona Brankin: The number of licences to shoot red-breasted mergansers and goosanders issued, as an aid to scaring, to prevent serious damage to fisheries is as follows:

  

 
 2003
 2004
 2005


 Mergansers
 4
 2
 3


 Goosanders
 13
 8
 11



  Licences to shoot mergansers were all issued to District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs). Similarly the licences to shoot goosanders were all issued to DSFBs with the exception of two in 2003 and 2004 and one in 2005 which were issued to angling associations.

  The licences were issued to the following:

  2003

  Esk DSFB

  Annan DSFB

  Nith DSFB

  River Tweed Commissioners

  Conon DSFB

  Tay DSFB

  Spey DSFB

  Beauly DSFB

  Dee DSFB

  Lochaber DSFB

  Deveron DSFB

  River Annan Fisheries Improvement Association

  Camps Fly Fishers Association.

  2004

  Esk DSFB

  Nith DSFB

  River Tweed Commissioners

  Tay DSFB

  Spey DSFB

  Dee DSFB

  River Annan Fisheries Improvement Association

  Camps Fly Fishers Association.

  2005

  Esk DSFB

  Annan DSFB

  Nith DSFB

  River Tweed Commissioners

  Conon DSFB

  Tay DSFB

  Spey DSFB

  Beauly DSFB

  Dee DSFB

  Lochaber DSFB

  Deveron DSFB

  River Annan Fisheries Improvement Association

  Camps Fly Fishers Association.

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for licences to control red-breasted mergansers and goosanders have been made in each of the last three years.

Rhona Brankin: The numbers of applications for licences to shoot red-breasted mergansers and goosanders received in the last three years are as follows:

  

 
 2003
 2004
 2005


 Mergansers
 5
 6
 9


 Goosanders
 15
 12
 16

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences to control red-breasted mergansers and goosanders were granted in each of the last three years against the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and whether SNH is consulted on all applications for such licences.

Rhona Brankin: The number of licences issued against SNH advice in the last three years are as follows:

  2003: 4, 2004: 5 and 2005: 4.

  Scottish Natural Heritage as well as Fisheries Research Services and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency are consulted on every licence application. Decisions on whether to issue licences are based on balanced consideration of all the recommendations, with each case considered on its merits.

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many inspections were carried out to ascertain the facts prior to the granting of licences to control saw-billed ducks in each of the last three years and whether the individuals authorised to kill the birds fully complied with the licence conditions and, if not, whether such licences will be revoked.

Rhona Brankin: There was one formal inspection carried out in each of the last three years. Many of the areas covered by licence applications are well known to and visited by our advisors, Scottish Natural Heritage, Fisheries Research Services and The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, through their other duties. Site visits are normally conducted for a first application, or where circumstances have changed, or where doubt exists over the validity of the information supplied.

  Licence holders are required to submit returns which are monitored to ensure that they comply fully with any licence conditions or the licence would be invalid and subject to revocation. Non-compliance would be taken into account when considering any future application.

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated breeding population is of (a) red-breasted mergansers and (b) goosanders and what information it can provide on how the numbers and distribution of these birds have changed in the last 10 years.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive does not hold this information centrally but is aware of the following;

  Red-Breasted Mergansers

  The most recent estimate of numbers of breeding red-breasted mergansers are:

  561 males (299 to 915, 95% Confidence Limits)

  591 redheads (females and immatures) (262-1,019, 95% Confidence Limits).

  These estimates are based on counts made in 1987 and 1997 prior to the main breeding period, and are regarded as minimum estimates.

  Data from the Wetland Bird Survey indicate that mergansers are widespread throughout Scotland, and that there has been virtually no change overall in the size of the population at key census sites over the last ten years.

  Goosanders

  The most recent estimate of numbers of breeding goosanders are:

  1,422 males (988 to 1,882, 95% Confidence Limits)

  2,041 redheads (females and immatures) (1,537-2,589, 95% Confidence Limits).

  These estimates are based on counts made in 1987 and 1997. These counts were made during the main breeding period for goosanders.

  Data from the Wetland Bird Survey indicate that goosanders are widespread throughout Scotland. There may have been a slight increase in the size of the breeding population, but a slight decrease in the size of the over-wintering population.

Wildlife

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it issues licences for the killing of red-breasted mergansers and goosanders during the period from the beginning of April to the end of July when the birds may have dependent young.

Rhona Brankin: Licences to shoot red-breasted mergansers and goosanders to prevent serious damage to fisheries are only issued from 1 September up until the end of April. This period is set to avoid the main breeding season of the birds.

Wildlife

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with animal welfare organisations regarding the cull of hedgehogs on Uist.

Rhona Brankin: I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage has sought and obtained the involvement of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in all aspects of the Uist Wader Project with a view to ensuring that all operations pertaining to the project are carried out as humanely as possible.

Wildlife

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has reviewed its position on culling hedgehogs on Uist, in light of the recent research by Bristol University, funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and St Tiggywinkle’s Wildlife Hospital, which recommended the translocation of the hedgehogs to mainland Britain.

Rhona Brankin: In taking forward their work on the Uist Wader Project, Scottish Natural Heritage has given full consideration to Bristol University’s findings on the effects of translocating hedgehogs.

  The Scottish Executive’s Ecological Advisers Unit have also reviewed these findings and support the SNH view that the findings of the Bristol University work do not provide robust scientific evidence to support any change in the approach adopted by the project to protect the wading bird population of the Uists.

Correction

The reply to question S2W-25159, which was originally answered on 19 April 2006, has been corrected: see page 7859 or http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-06/wa0502.htm.